Richard Harvey Dennison

Richard (“Rick”) Harvey Dennison, Ocala, FL (January 6, 1951 – January 16, 2023) Richard Harvey Dennison, 73, passed away unexpectedly on January 16 while on a business trip in Tallahassee, FL. Rick was born in Worcester, MA on January 6, 1951 to Harvey and Lois (Ross) Dennison. He grew up in Leicester, MA alongside his 7 brothers and sisters. He attended Leicester High School where he met the love of his life, Suzanne LaMotte, in 1967. Rick became the youngest licensed auctioneer in MA as a 16 year old, putting his skills to work at Ernie’s Auction House in Leicester, as well as various private auctions. His work tenure included Worcester Controls Corporation and then Sprague Electric in Worcester, MA. He went on to own Worcester Tire Company from 1984 to 1995. Rick was a Selectman for the Town of Leicester from 1992 to 1998. He also served on the Town’s Advisory Finance Board. Upon retirement at the age of 49, Rick and Suzanne moved to Ocala, FL where he joined the Marion Oaks Civic Association, ultimately serving as Vice President and President. Rick was instrumental in getting the beautiful waterfall at the entrance of Marion Oaks up and running, dedicating 3 years to the project. In 2013, Rick was awarded and honored as the Marion Oaks Outstanding Citizen of the Year for this project as well as his other endeavors in the community. Rick was a member of the Sumpter Electric Cooperative (SECO Energy) starting in 1999 and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2015. He served as its Vice President and later President from 2020-2022. He ultimately served on the Board for almost 9 years, up until the time of his death. Rick was also on the Board of Trustees of Seminole Electric Cooperative most recently serving as its Secretary & Treasurer. Rick’s favorite place to be was on Cape Cod where he and Suzanne owned a second home since 1985. After they moved from MA to FL, they loved staying there for the summers and spending time with their grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Tyler, and other family members and friends. Never slowing down, you could always find Rick working in his yard or on a home project. Richard is survived by his wife of 52 years, Suzanne, his son, Matthew, his daughter-in- law, Carrie, and their children and Rick’s pride and joy, Kaitlyn and Tyler. He is also survived by his twin brother, Ronald, and other brothers, Philip (wife Darlene) and Kenneth (wife Bonnie), as well as his sisters, Janice (husband Tony) and Cathy (husband Randy). He is also survived by his brother-in-law “Bucky” (wife Carole) and his sister-in-law, Leona, along with several nieces and nephews. He was heartbroken and preceded in death by his youngest son, Andrew, in 2021, as well as his brothers, William and Gerry, his parents, Harvey and Lois, and a brother-in-law, Arthur LaMotte. Memorial Services will be held on Wednesday, January 24 th at 5:30 PM at Roberts of Ocala Downtown Chapel, 606 SW 2nd Ave., Ocala, FL. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, February 12th at 6 p.m. at the Greenville Baptist Church, 674 Pleasant Street, Rochdale, Mass. 01524. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made the American Lung Association at: https://action.lung.org/site/Donation2df_id=37359&mfc_pref=T&37359.donation=form1&s_src=PaidSearch&gad_source=1

Richard Harvey Dennison

January 6, 1951 - January 16, 2024